Chapter 53 OBLIVIOUS FATHER (2)
GALLAHAN'S POV
I harshly put down the decanter and goblet on the table and bluntly said, “Because you have a good soul, and you’re innately just a wonderful friend. It’s also because you’re in love with my cousin, and I used to be your only ticket to seeing him from time to time.”
Maliya cackled, doubling over in pure amusement.
Zuleika’s face had taken a deep pinkish hue, and she inelegantly sputtered before managing to hiss out a waspish, “Do not bring him into this.”
Unapologetic, I did not deign to react.
“I can’t believe you’re laughing,” Zuleika grumbled at Maliya, elbowing her gently.
“Well, your friendship did indeed start because of your raging crush on-”
“Oh, hush!” Zuleika seethed, elbowing Maliya again. “We were children then. I no longer hold such childish feelings for him.”
I hid my small amused smile by scratching my philtrum. The change of topic had proved itself to be effective in improving my mood, and I could feel the anger and distress fizzling out of my body.
The tensed line of my shoulders eased, and the tightness in my chest dissipated.
“Anyway,” Zuleika said a little loudly, shooting me a stern look. “Let me fix that mess on your neck.”
“I’m fine,” I said all too quickly, drawing Zuleika’s suspicion.
“Gallahan, you’re hardly endearing yourself to the Alfieros with your poor decision and behavior. At least charm them over by looking decent.”
Maliya stared at me with squinted eyes. Then as if she just used the forbidden mind magic, she told Zuleika exactly what I intended to do.
“I think he’s going to use his injury as some sort of blackmail against Willa. He’s likely going to talk to the Alfieros and make demands for a recompense for all his troubles and pain.”
“No, you will not do such a thing,” Zuleika quickly objected. “Honestly, Gallahan. It seems like you really are just begging to be rejected and punched in the face by Willa.”
Maliya chuckled. “Kinky. But no shame there.”
“Very funny,” I drawled, my tone dripping with sarcasm. But heat spread all over my body as I remembered how aroused I got when Willa dared to push me against the hedge wall and hold me tightly by the neck.
Just the mere thought of it had me taking a sudden sharp breath.
This, unfortunately, didn’t go unnoticed.
Maliya lifted a brow as an amused grin graced her face.
Zuleika, on the other hand, scowled. “Gross. Gallahan! Please, you are like my brother. So I truly have no desire to know about your inclinations in the sheets.”
I crossed my arms and smirked at her. “What? I didn’t say anything.”
Zuleika looked seconds away from throwing her goblet right at my face.
Taking pity on her, I decided to veer our topic back on track. “Anyway, I personally think my plan is a brilliant one. It could prolong my stay here, giving me a chance to run into my children. Or perhaps I could just directly make a demand to meet them to save me from another shitty round of searching.”
“You are abysmal at winning people over. How in the world did you even win the trust of so many members of the Culling Army?”
“With great leadership, pure strength and admirable fighting abilities, and most of all, sharing their immense loathing for humans.”
“Great!” Zuleika replied dryly. “You might as well stick to your Culling Army then. You have no chance of winning over Willa.”
“Hey, look,” Maliya suddenly said as she covertly pointed at something or someone.
Zuleika and I shifted our attention to where she wanted us to look.
William Alfiero.
There was an urgent and concerned look on his face as he talked to his grandpa, whose expression turned grimmer with every second that ticked by.
The two of them then went to talk to Wendell Alfiero and his wife, and the same thing happened. The lightheartedness and positivity seemed to have been sucked out of them and replaced by a sense of urgency and great worry.
Maybe it was contagious to a degree because I felt my stomach suddenly sink.
Greggory, Wendell and his wife immediately headed for the door once their short discussion ended. William was quick to follow, and when he did, he caught my gaze.
His eyes turned cold and angry, the intensity of his hatred almost palpable. I knew then that if he was just allowed to kill me right then and there, he would’ve.
“That is not a good sign, Gallahan,” Zuleika murmured, sounding a tad bit alarmed.
“What do you think happened?” Maliya wondered.
“I have no idea,” I answered, my eyes never straying from the leaving Alfieros. “But I’m going to find out.”